Liquid-feeding device.



Wa SPARKS.

LlQUiD FEEDING E EVICE. APPLICATION FILED MAFi 16, NH].

g? 0 Y i Patented. Feb. 5, mm.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

'W. SPARKS.

LIQUID FEEDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I6. I917.

' Patented Feb. 191

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

IL f

W. SPARKS.

LIQUID FEEDING DEVICE;

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I6. 1911.

Patented Feb; 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3 l'mvmwvww sranns, .iacnsonr, atrcnre, assistant, To run 'sranKs-wrrnrne'ron r, or cnnvntann, onto, a coaro n TION 0F OHIQ.

mourn-tannins nnvrcn.

Specification of lhcttcra- Patent.

Patented lFeb. a, Jlflt.

application filed March to, 1917. Serial No. 155,261;

" To all whom it may concern: Be it known that 1, WILLIAM SPARKS, a

citizen of the United States, and resident of Jackson, in the county of Jackson, in the State of Michigan, have invented'new and useful Improvements in Liquid-Feeding Devices, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improve ments inliquid feeding devices for use particularly in supplying liquid fuel to internal combustion engines of automobiles and the like, in connection with which it is very often desirable to have the primary fuel tank carried on the vehicle at a level below the .ca'rbureter.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of relatively simple construction and high efficiency in automatic operation with particular relation to the construction of the vacuum tank portion thereof, to which the liquid fuel is elevated as b the suction of the engine, and intermittent y discharged therefrom to be fed by gravity to a vaporizing device, as for instance, to the float cham-- ber ofa commercialcarbureter.

Other objects and advantagesrelate to the details of construction ofthe vacuum-tank a will hereinafter appear fromlth'e follow- 'ing'description, taken ,in=.connection with the accompanying drawings, in. whichliigure 1 1S asOmeWhat', diagrammatic view of the liquid feeding device'assembled with a low level'fuel tank and an internal combustion engine.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the vacuum tank.

Fig; Bis a cross section on line 3-3, Fig. 1'.

Fig. at is a cross section on line 4-4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is'a 'view similar to Fig. 4 of a htly modified form of vacutank. s stated, the device is especially designed for use in connection with automobiles embodying internal combustion engines, and the vacuum tank portion thereof ma be positioned at any point-upon the vehic e to automatically supply fuel to the carbureter, as by gravity, and is usually positioned some distance above the carbureter, and above the primary fuel tank.

As shown, the invention comprises a vacuum tank -lhaving suitable connection sli through a pipe -2-- with a primary fuel -9-- and divided into two chambers 10-- and -1l-- by an annular transverse wall -13-- having a pair of axially extending substantially concentric flanges -1land 15-, the flange14- tightly fitting within the tubular body portion and: may be secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by soldering, welding, or the like, While the flange -15- is adapted to receive a flanged circular bushing -l6- which may, as shown, be internally threaded for the reception of an externally threaded flange -17- upon an elbow-shaped discharge nipple l 8- having a valve l9- at its lower end normally closing the opening and slidably mounted upon pins -20- to permit opening of the valve under the weight of fluid when the vacuum is released in chamber --l0 as hereinafter described. Either one, or both, of the pins -20 may be removably secured to nipple -18 to permit movement of the valve from its position across the outlet.

The bushing -l6- may support a spider 21- having a passageway talined with the nipple -18-' for the reception of valve stem -22-,carryin ,valve --23 for closing the passageway 4-- permitting communication between chamber -10- and fitting ,-25-, to which fitting the*pipe 4l-- is connected, the latter constituting a suction passage leading from the engine to the chamber, such passage being controlled by sitioned' within chamber ,-l(land mounted upon andrigidly secured to the valve s em 22* 1 plate- 27 in any suitable manner, as by of ring formation, preferably formed of sheet. metal with one of its walls comprising wall -29'of one thickness telescoped ex- *ternally with the body v s and the wall -30"comprising two thicknesses of the metal extending radially and inwardly. of

the body 8- and chamber 10 to form a seat for packing 31 upon which the cover plate -2'7 rests, the plate 27 being secured to the angle bar 28- as by screws -32- extending through the plate and the wall -30 of the angle bar. The nipple 33- to which. pipe 2 is connected, 1s likewise secured to the cover --27 in any suitable way, as by threaded engagement with a flanged bushing 34,

which bushingflin turn has a threaded engage ment with an annular flange 35- formed upon plate 27-.

An air inlet conduit or pipe -36- communicates with chamber 10- through the cover -27 and may be secured thereto in any suitable way, as by threaded engagement with annular flange 37-- formed thereon. An annular disk 38 may be provided, secured to the inner surface of cover plate 27- for forming a seat for an inwardly closing valve 39 controlling communication between conduit 36- and chamber 10. For the purpose of operating valve 39- reversely in accord ance with the operation of valve -23, a U-shaped lever 40 is provided having its opposite ends pivoted upon flanges 41 and 42 extending downwardly in chamber -10 and preferably formed integral with a. strip 43" of sheet metal or the like secured to the interior surface of cover.

plate'-27- and having suitable openings reg1stering with the conduits communicatmg with nipples 25 and 33.

he lever' 40 is' provided withan opening 44 at one side of the central portion-of its base through which opening valve stem 45 loosely extends, the valve stem being provided with opposite enlarge ments 46 and -'47 constituting stops limiting the movement of the lever along the stem and permitting such limited movement without movement of the valve.

disk 48 mounted thereon at a proper position relative to the pivot of lever 40--, to which disk one end of s ring 49- is secured, the opposite end of the spring being secured. to the lever -40-- preferably at aoint substantially centrally of the base of t e lever. A second spring -50 is provided, likewise secured to the disk -42- has been thus elevated into chamber The valve stem 22- is provided with a chamber -11 and the atmosphere, as by pipe 53 engaged with and penetrating wall 13- and extending through wall -30, packing --31 and cover plate 27, and secured to and penetrating the Wall of conduit 36 so that atmospheric pressure is substantially maintained within chamber -1l to permit the free discharge of liquid therefrom by gravity.

The lower end 9 of the body -8-- may be provided with a drainage or discharge faucet 54 secured in any suitable manner, to permit the withdrawal of liquid therefrom at will, and a suitable fittin -55 to which pipe 6- is connecte leading to the carburetor. The end 9- may be pressed in suitable form, as shown at 56, to constitute a substantially hori- -zontal seat for bushing 57- to which the fitting 55 may be secured.

Preferably the fuel inlet through nipple '33' is provided with a suitable screen,in this instance a cup-shaped screen -58- having a flanged edge, the flange positioned between the plate 43 and bushing 34 to rigidly secure the screen in desired position,

The operation of the device will be readily understood. When the tank is empty, the float -26' will lie in such a position within chamber 10 as to open valve 23 permitting the passage of the suction from a suitable source through pipe -4. to chamber 10, the vacuum thereby produced in chamber 10 elevating the liquid from tank -3 through ipe -2 to the chamber, the valve 39- eing held in closed position by spring 49 acting upon lever 40. When suflicient liquid .1 so as to raise the float to a point at which disk 48- moves to a position above the pivot of lever 40 upon the flanges 42-, the tension of spring 49 will snap lever .40 upwardly about its pivot toopen valve 9 and permit substantially free communication of chamber 10' with the atmosphere.

At this point the valve -23 will be either closed or substantially closed, the vacuum in chamber 10- will be substantially neutralized to permit the discharge of the fluid from nipple -18' under the action of gravity. When the discharge has been effected to such an extent that valve 39- when disk -48" moves a suificient distance below the pivot of the lever upon the flanges '-42 and the valve, -23- is unseated,

then the suction will again be applied to chamber -10, vacuum produced therein, and the operation repeated. The fuel discharges freely from chamber 11 to any suitable vaporizing device, as carbureter 7,, through nipple 55, pipe 53 maintaining atmospheric pressure in said chamber. 7

The spring serves to counter-balance the spring --4.9 to effect uniform and direct reciprocation of valve stem 22- without binding, the springs neutralizing each other so far as their action upon valve -Q3- and valve stem 22 is concerned.

The construction of the tank shown in Fig. 5 varies slightly from that shown in Fig. 4, in that the body 8 is formed of parts 59 and -6() having their meeting edges outwardly flanged and with transverse wall 61- secured therebetween, suitable packing being interposed as shown. The nipple -l8 is secured directly to an annular flange upon the wall -6l and the spider -62 is of dished formation, having its end portions resting upon said transverse wall. The upper end of the part -59- is outwardly flanged at 63 and the plate 27- is secured ,to this flange, as by bolts 6'l, suitable packing being interposedbetween the parts as shown.

The pipe'-65 is positioned outside the chamber -10-' and extends through the plate 27 and flange 63-- and through the flange formed on part 59-, to which the flange on part -60 is secured, and through the transverse wall or plate 61, the part 60 being provided with an oflset portion 66 ermit-ting communica tion between the pipe -fl5; and chamber -.-1l--.

The connection of faucet 54 and nipple to the lower end wall of chamber -11-- diflers only in exact relative tion of the parts, and in the fact that, the

end wall being horizontal and substantially flat, the indentation -56-' is omitted. Otherwise the construction and operation of the tanks is substantially the same, that shown in Fig. 4: being preferred by reason of economy and permanency in construction.

Although I have shown and described particular forms of tanks and particular constructions embodied therein, and certain del tails of each of the same as perhaps preferable, yet l do not desire to limit myself to any specific form or construction except as specifically indicated in the claims hereto appended, as various changes maybe made in thedetails of each of the samewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

posi- I What I claim is 1. In an apparatus of the character described, a receptacle having a suction connection, a liquid inlet connection and an atmosphere connection, a valve controlling one of said connections and having an elongated stem, a float mounted on said stem and actuating said valve, a second valve controlling another of said connections, a lever pivoted within said chamber and connected to the second valve, and a spring connected to the lever and having a portion moving with said float to opposite sides of the pivotal axis of the lever.

2. A device for the purpose in icated comprising a receptacle formed wit 1 two chambers, valved means of communication between the chambers, the upper chamber pr0- vided with a suction connection, a liquid inlet and an atmosphere connection, a valve' controlling one of said connections and havin an elongated stem, a float mounted on said stem and actuating said valve, a second valve controlling another of said connec tions, a lever pivoted within said chamber and connected to the second valve, and a spring connected to the lever and having a portion moving with said float to opposite sides of the pivotal axis of the lever.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a receptacle having a suction connection, a liquid inlet connection and an atmosphere connection, a float in said receptacle, a valve operated by'the float and controlling one of said connections, a second valve controlling another of said connections, a lever ivoted Within the cham-' her and connected to the second valve, 2. spring connected to the lever and having a portion moving with said float to opposite sides of the pivotal axis of the lever, and a second spring having one end moving with the float and its opposite-end supported in stationary condition within the chamber to counter-balance the lateral tension of the first-named spring upon the float.

4. A device for the purpose indicated, comprising a receptacle, a liquid inlet, a suction connection, a valve controlling the suction connection, said valve having an elongated stem, a float mounted upon said stem to operate the valve, an atmosphere inlet, an atmosphere valve controlling'the atmosphere inlet, a lever engaged with said atmosphere valve and havmg a stationary pivot, and a spring having one end connected to the lever and its opposite end moving with the float to operate the lever and thereby actuate the atmosphere valve.

5. A device for the purpose indicated, comprising a receptacle, a liquid inlet, a

suction connection, a valve controlling the let, an atmosphere valve controlling the atmosphere inlet, a U-shaped lever engaged with said atmosphere valve and having a stationary pivot, and means actuated by the movement of the float ,for operating said lever to actuate the atmosphere valve.

6. A device for the purpose indicated, comprising a receptacle, a plate carried by the receptacle and having a pair of spaced flanges depending within the receptacle, a U-shaped lever having its ends respectively pivoted upon said flanges, an atmosphere inlet to said receptacle, an atmosphere valve controlling said inlet andhaving its stem engaged with said lever, a suction connection with the receptacle, a valve controlling such connection and having a float mounted upon its stem, and a spring having one "end connected to move with the float and its opposite end connected to the lever at a point beyond the connection of said atmosphere valve stem to the lever.

7 A device for the purpose indicated, comprising a receptacle, a plate carried by the receptacle and having a pair of spaced flanges depending within the receptacle, a U-shaped lever having its ends respectively pivoted upon said flanges, an atmosphere inlet to said receptacle, an atmosphere valve controlling said inlet and having its stem engaged with said lever, a suction connection with the receptacle, a valve controlling such connection and having a float mounted upon its stem, a spring having one end connected to move with the float and its opposite end connected to the lever at a point beyond the connection .of said atmosphere valve stem to the lever, and a second spring having one end connected to move with the float and counter-balancethe eflect of the firstnamed spring upon the float.

8. A device for the purpose indicatedi comprising a receptacle having a float chamber, a suction inlet, a valve for said inlet having an elongated stem, a float mounted upon the stem, springs havin their ends secured to the stemdiametricafiy thereofand at a point above the float, one of said springs having a stationary connection for its opposite end, a U-shaped lever pivoted within the chamber, the other spring having its 0 posite end connected to the base of the 6- shaped lever,- an atmos here inlet, an atmosphere valve for sai inlet, said atmosphere valve having its stem engaged with said lever intermediate the oint of connection of the spring and the pivot of the adj acent arm of said lever.

9. A device for the purpose indicated, comprising a cup-shaped body, a plate extending transversely of the body and having a pair of annular flanges, the flange of larger diameter in contact with the interior wall of the body, an outlet nipple connected to the inner flange, a valve for said nipple, and

a cover plate secured to the up er end of the cup-shaped body, said cover p ate provided with a suction connection, an atmosphere inlet and a liquid inlet, and float operated means for controlling the two first-named connections. a

10. A device for the purpose indicated,

comprising a cup-shaped body, a plate extending transversely of the body and having a pair of annular flanges, the flange of larger diameter in contact with the interior wall of the body, an outlet nipple connected to the inner flange, a valve for said nipple, an angle bar secured to the upper end of the cup-shaped body and having a portion projecting radially and inwardly of said body, and a cover plate secured to the angle bar, said cover plate provided with a suction connection, an atmosphere inlet and a liquid inlet, and float operated means for controlling the two first-named connections.

11. A device for the purpose indicated comprising a receptacle having a suction connection, a liquid inlet, an atmosphere connection, a valve for the suction connection having an elongated stem, a float mounted on said stem to operate the valve, an atmosphere valve, a lever provided with a stationary pivot within the receptacle and having a lost motion connection with the atmosphere valve, a spring connected to the stem of the suction valve and to the lever and movable with said stem to positions upon opposite sides of the pivot of the lever whereby the atmosphere valve is instantly and completely opened at a predetermined position of said stem.

12. A device for the purpose indicated comprising a receptacle formed with an upper and a lower chamber, a conduit forming means of communication between the chambers, a flap valve controlling said conduit and opening outwardly into the lower chamber, the upper chamber provided with a suction connection, a liquid inlet and an atmosphere inlet, a valve controlling the suction connection, said valve having an elongated stem, a float mounted upon said stem to operate the valve, an atmosphere valve controlling the atmosphere inlet, a lever pivoted within the chamber and engaged with said atmosphere valve, and a sprin having one end connected to the lever and 1ts opposite end connected to the stem of the valve controlling the suction connection.

13; A device for the purpose indicated comprising a receptacle, a plate carried by the receptacle and having a flange depending within the receptacle, a lever having its end pivotally connected to said flange, an atmosphere inlet to said receptacle, an atmosphere valve controlling said inlet and having its stem engaged with said lever, a suction connection with the receptacle, a valve controlling such connection and having a float naeaaav mounted uphn its stem, and a spring having one end connected to said stem and its opposite end connected to the lever.

14. A device for the purpose indicated comprising a receptacle, a plate carried by the receptacle and having a flange depending within the receptacle, a lever having its end pivotally connected to said flange, an atmosphere inlet to said receptacle, an atmosphere valve controlling said inlet and having its stemengaged with said lever, a

suction connection with the receptacle, a

valve controlling such connection and having a float mounted upon its stem, a spring having one end connected to said stem and its opposite end connected to the lever, said plate having a second depending flange, and a second spring having one end connected to said stem and its opposite end connected to said second flange to counter-balance the lateral tension of the first-named spring upon said stem. v

15. A device for the purpose indicated comprising a receptacle, a plate carried by the receptacle and having a flange depending within the receptacle, a lever having its end pivotally connected to said flange, an atmosphere inlet to said receptacle, an atmosphere valve controlling said inlet and having its stem engaged with said lever, a suction connection with the receptacle, a valve controlling such connection and having a float wil mounted upon its stem, and a spring having one end connected to said stem and its opposite end connected to the lever, said plate having a finger lying in the path of move? ment of the lever.

16. A device for the purpose indicated comprising a receptacle formed with two chambers, valved means of communication between the chambers, the upper chamber provided with a suction connection, a liquid inlet and an atmosphere connection, a valve controlling one of said connections and havin an elongated stem, a float mounted on said stem and actuating said valve, a second valve controlling another of said connections, a. lever pivoted within said chamber and connected to the second valve, a spring connected to the lever and having a portion moving with said float to OPPOSltGSlflGS of the pivotal axis of the lever, and a second spring having one end moving with the float and its opposite end supported in stationar condition within the chamber to counterbalance the lateral tension of the first-named spring u on the float.

In witness whereo l have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of F eb., 1917.

WILLIAM smarts.

Witnesses LILLIAN Wnnnnnnron, W J. Comsnr'r. 

